1 critically hurt after boat fire near NYC's Hart Island forces nearly 2 dozen into water
A boat fire near Hart Island forced nearly two dozen people into the water Saturday night. One person was in critical condition and another was charged with DWI, police in New York City said.
Officials said routine marine patrols came across a 35-foot Carver boat that was on fire near the east end of the island, located just off the Bronx's City Island, at around 8:30 p.m. The crews noticed multiple people in the water and called for more emergency responders.
Video from Citizen app shows large plumes of smoke billowing into the air.
Police said 22 people were on board the private boat.
According to FDNY Assistant Chief Mike Meyers, three people had to be pulled from the water. One of those victims was last reported to be in critical condition. The other two are expected to be OK.
Nineteen other people were able to swim to shore on their own, according to the assistant chief. They were then taken to a local hospital to be checked out.
Meyers said responding to incidents on the water is very difficult.
"These mass casualty incidents are incredible complex," he said. "We have to get those patients from the water or from boats onto the land and coordinate the land units and EMS units as to where those marine boats are gonna be bringing them ... So it's an incredibly complex operation. Multiple agencies are always involved, just like tonight."
At one point, police had to shut down City Island to allow emergency crews access, as there is only one way on and off the island. The bridge has since reopened to traffic.
The cause of the boat fire is under investigation.
On Sunday, police announced the arrest of 33-year-old Joshua Brito of the Bronx in connection with the crash. He was charged with DWI and reckless endangerment.
